A Dutch tourist nearly drowned at Wilderness Beach but was saved by the NSRI and a quick-thinking friend last week.
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Shortly before 7pm on Wednesday, NSRI Wilderness were conducting routine maintenance and training at the rescue station when they were alerted of a drowning in progress at Wilderness Beach.
Quad bikes and an NSRI rescue vehicle, carrying rescue swimmers, together with ER24 ambulance services, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and George Fire and Rescue Services were deployed and the NSRI Wilderness JetRib, Ann Stratford, was prepared to be launched.
On arrival on the scene a 24-year-old Dutch tourist was found being brought out of the water by his friends.
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He was medically treated on the beach, by NSRI medics, for non-fatal drowning symptoms and he was transported to hospital by ER24 ambulance in a stable condition and he has since been released from hospital.
It appears that four friends who are visiting South Africa from the Netherlands, were swimming in the surfline when they noticed strong rip currents, in an outgoing tide, were pulling them out to sea.
Three of the friends were able to retreat to the shore but the 24-year-old was swept away.
His friend, aged 22, went to his aid and on reaching him, found him to be exhausted in the water.
The 22-year-old was able to turn his friend around and with him lying on his back managed to make the difficult swim safely to shore.
The NSRI commended the 22-year-old man for saving his friend’s life.
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Picture: NSRI